MVP
Andre Iguodala deserved it. Not as much as Lebron, and arguably no more than Steph Curry, but don’t act like this wasn’t earned. Much like Kawhi Leonard last Finals, he slowed down LeBron James, he made him work and tired him out. He’s the main reason LBJ only had the energy to win two games all by himself instead of four. That was the difference in the series. He also anchored the second unit for the Warriors, making it nearly as dangerous as the starting five. They were basically a wrestling tag team duo going up against a guy going solo. That guy can only last so long.
Even though that guy did, in fact, deserve the Finals MVP. He did everything, damn near averaging a triple double, leading all players in points, rebounds, and assists. It looked like he was trying to play with one of those Puppy Bowl teams. The Cavs were adorably feisty, but they clearly weren’t sure what they were doing there. All except LeBron.
The MVP may have been more about a good show, and even manners. ABC doesn’t want to show a gloomy LeBron glumly hoisting the MVP trophy and shaking Bill Russell’s hand like a job applicant with a potential employer, knowing he won’t make it to the second round. That’s depressing. Why even put him through that? He clearly doesn’t even want the award if it doesn’t follow a win. The postgame is supposed to be a celebration. Give it to the guy who started three games all year. Why the hell not?
People I’m Insanely Happy For
Stephen Curry
He could have won MVP, he looked like it the last 3.25 games. He didn’t, but whatever. Dude beat the most 3s made in a playoffs record by 40. He’s incredible and magical and an American hero. I doubt his stroke will leave him anytime soon. I can’t believe we get so much more of him.
Klay Thompson
Wherever Steph goes, Klay will follow. We are truly #blessed to watch these two. I’ll let Kirk Goldsberry explain in detail:
Shaun Livingston
His leg nearly had to be amputated, and now he’s an NBA champion. HIS LEG WAS NEARLY AMPUTATED. He played on seven teams in seven years. This was the seventh. You think he’ll stick around?
Draymond Green
A trash-talking, physical brute of an asshole. I consider this a good thing. He plays defense like every shot made on him takes a year off his life. Never change.
Andre Iguodala
MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!
Steve Kerr
A rookie coach took a good-to-great team and made them legendary. We should be thanking him every day for giving us this team to watch.
People I Feel So So So Bad For
LeBron James
No man is an island. If they were, LeBron would be Australia and every other Cavalier would be one of those tiny ones in Indonesia that’s home to 25 natives and not much else. Is that ALL you have to contribute, guys? He’s the best player in the world; it sucked to see him do everything and have it mean nothing in the end.
Timofey Mozgov
Goofy name, goofy face, goofy game. He’s the most competent doofus in the game. And hey, he tried hard. It’s just tough when you’re 7’1” and everyone else is below 6’8” and faster than you.
Iman Shumpert
Flat top.
LeBron James
He’s getting too old for this shit.
JR Smith
Watching him nail three late threes from practically back in New York was peak JR. Hot at all the wrong times – still shooting in the interim. Can he play forever? Lord knows he’ll shoot till he can’t.
Kyrie Irving
You probably would have made the series more fun.
Kevin Love
You might have made the series more fun.
LeBron James
He left Miami for this?
David Blatt
Caught too much crap from media and fans. His eyes are too close together. He seems like a good dude.
David Lee
Highest paid Golden State player. Can’t crack the rotation. Not a knock on Lee, just a credit to GSW. He’ll get traded and be a borderline all-star elsewhere. Never complained, he’s truly the best.
LeBron James
I’m so sorry.
I WOULD TAKE A BULLET FOR LEBRON JAMES
Speaking of LeBron, I’m already tired of Twitter LeBron defenders screaming at no one, standing up for their man when no one is stepping to him. Sure there a few dummies out there whose best arguments are “he sucks” and “2-4 in Finals.” There are a few out there, and they don’t know anything. He’s the best player in the world, and none of you need to prove that to anyone. This isn’t 2011, there aren’t legitimate criticisms about his game. You’re safe. He’s the best. Appreciate what he did here, and please don’t let internet dum dums distract you from it.
What Now?
I always start tearing up knowing that I can’t watch the NBA for four months, but then I remember that the offseason is always at least 70% as fun as the regular season in this league. LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Luol Deng, Manu Ginobli, Goran Dragic, Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Love, JR Smith, LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, and Dwyane Wade are all either unrestricted free agents or can opt out of their contracts in the coming months. Many more are restricted free agents that could cause a bidding war, namely Jimmy Butler.
No one has any idea what will happen with the first five picks in the draft, much less the top ten, or any of the damn thing, really. It takes place next Thursday already, hopefully involving a bunch of crazy trades. After that, the free agent floodgates open. It’s a three-month game of high stakes Monopoly, basically.
The NBA never ends, and I love every second of it.
DelontYe West 